On My Bookshelf // Tom Scheerer Decorates

So this book got quite a bit of coverage when it came out a couple of months ago.

I'm finally offering my ten cents.

 

There was a lot of fuss about the hidden cover under the book jacket.

That's because dayyyyyyyyyum, she purty.

Coincidentally, so is every. single. page between those covers.

Now I have to admit that I was already a big, big fan of Mr. Scheerer so I may be a little biased. What I've always loved about his work is that he seems to be able to blend traditional and modern so seamlessly. That's not always easy to do! He also uses an abundance of natural materials, adding a lot of depth to his spaces.

Right? His spaces feel classic, fresh and perfectly understated.

Unfussy and painfully beautiful.

The book is written by Mimi Read, who does a fabulous job of capturing the essence of Scheerer. I mean, I don't know the man, but I certainly feel like I do thanks to her. I love hearing what inspires such talented people...getting their stories...seeing how they design their own homes.

images via Tom Scheerer Decorates

I've revisited a dozen times or better since it's arrival.

If you haven't done so already, this one is worth picking up.

Disclaimer: Vendome Press provided a copy of Tom Scheerer Decorates for my review. All opinions are my own.

On My Bookshelf // Fifth Avenue Style

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know that I have a serious soft spot for pure unadulterated maximalism. I battle the desire for it in my own home (the husband will have none of that, thankyouverymuch). I can't seem to take things in quickly enough when I'm in a well-decorated space that is filled to the brim.

I literally think I would faint on the spot if given the chance to tour Mr. Howard Slatkin's luxurious and masterfully outfitted apartment. In his recently released book, Fifth Avenue Style: A Designer's New York Apartment, Mr. Slatkin not only reveals every last incredibly adorned nook and cranny, but he gives away all of his decorating and entertaining secrets as well.

I don't know about you, but something tells me this man can entertain. And he's clearly a lover of artisans, with many many many one-of-a-kind pieces.

I mean, every last delicious inch of this Fifth Avenue apartment is perfectly manicured. I know that a lot of people are put off by this style of decor, claiming that it's fussy and uninviting...but if you look closely you can see that he's chosen luxuriously comfortable furniture and fabrics...

...proving that you can be about comfort and style. And boy, does he have style. Two hundred and forty pages worth.

Those lamps. The doorknob. The wallpaper. Insane!

His home is like a bottomless treasure chest. (Coincidentally, he's having two One Kings Lane Tastemaker Tag Sales in November...which I will be shopping fo sho.) His attention to detail is truly in a class of its own.

Fifth Avenue Style is broken down by room, and Mr. Slatkin has taken great care to detail how he planned each space, complete with before and afters. The whole book is beautifully photographed by Tria Giovan who, I'm guessing, had one heck of a time selecting final shots from this incredible space.

If you love to pour over details, you absolutely must have this book. I have to say, too, that Howard is so much fun to follow on Instagram (@howardslatkin). His emoji use is unparalleled and I. Love. It.

Disclaimer: A copy of Fifth Avenue Style was provided for this review. All opinions are my own.

On My Bookshelf // The Well-Traveled Home

I have quite a beautiful book to introduce you to today, friends. This one was a bit harder to flip through as someone that has been more or less home bound for the last couple of months...The pages are chock full of fabulously exotic spaces designed by Sandra Espinet.

Holy. Mirror.

As the title would indicate, Ms. Espinet is clearly well-traveled. Her global influence is glorious, and impossible to miss.

Umm. That tile. For serious.

Tell me you don't want to be here with a tropical cocktail and a stack of mags (or this book) right this second! So elegant and so liveable at the same time. Makes me absolutely crave a vaca.

As if the page after page of stunning spaces weren't enough, Sandra also reveals stories behind her best finds, favorite places to shop and shares her professional travel and design expertise in the book.

Snag your own copy.

The rest of Sandra's portfolio is definitely worth perusing as well.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of The Well-Traveled Home for review. All opinions are my own.

On My Bookshelf // Beyond Chic

Whaaaaa? I'm posting two days in a row?? Look out!

Sooo...babies don't give you a lot of time to do much of anything. Besides, you know, stare at them...feed them...change them...and try to get them to stop crying, which often requires holding them. Fortunately, you can also read books while doing some of those tasks which almost saves your sanity. This is why I jumped at the opportunity when the fine folks at The Vendome Press contacted me about reviewing several of their upcoming publications. Enter Beyond Chic, Great Fashion Designers at Home.

I'm always into seeing how people live. A lot of times, I don't really feel like I know a person until I've seen their home. It's been that way since I was pretty young. You learn so much about people through their spaces! I love getting a peek inside the homes of fashion's greats...and Beyond Chic covers so many.

Giorgio Armani

Franca Sozanni

Manolo Blahnik

Reed Krakoff

...and more than a dozen others.

A few of my other favorites included
Loulou de la Falaise

Vanessa Seward

and Nicole Farhi.

This one's definitely coffee table worthy, my friends. And if you're going to be bed- or sofa-bound anytime soon, might as well just go ahead and pre-order now.

I've had lots of couch time, so more delicious book reviews coming up!

Fine Print: The Vendome Press provided a copy of this book for my review. All opinions are my own.